HOW TO REACH YOUR FRIENDS AND NEIGHBOURS
The Explanation
When we consider our responsibility as a follower of Jesus to share the good news about Jesus with those who are not yet Christ followers, it may be helpful to think about this in two simple ways found in the gospels.
Come and See
This was often the message of those who had experienced the love and power of Jesus firsthand. Sometimes we can simply say to people, ‘come and see’. Be courageous and invite them to an appropriate church event/service.
John 4:29 (NIV). Come, see a man who told me everything I ever did. Could this be the Messiah?
Go and Tell
This is the clearest instruction we have from Jesus regarding our responsibility, both corporately and personally.
Matthew 28:19 - 20 (NIV) - “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
At times we need to go out of our comfort zone or even our natural sphere of influence and go and tell others about the message of Jesus.
So, how should we do this? One simple practice to help us share the good news of Jesus is by using the B.L.E.S.S. practice. This is something that should be done over time so that you are building good relationships with people that can often open the way for you to share how your faith and how Jesus has helped you.
The Practice
B - BEGIN WITH PRAYER
When Jesus started His earthly mission, Luke 6 tells us that He went out on a mountain and prayed. Prayer is both how you discover your mission and how you live out the mission. Over and over again, we see Jesus retreating to pray. If you're unsure who God is calling you to bless or where God is calling you to be a blessing, you can begin with prayer. And if you know the people you want to bless, begin praying for those people now.
L - LISTEN TO OTHERS
Asking questions and then listening were central to Jesus's life and teachings. Consider the blind man in Luke 18. Jesus didn't assume the blind man wanted to see. First He asked, "What do you want me to do?” and then He listened. In the Gospels, Jesus asked many more questions than He answered. Of the 183 different questions He received, Jesus answered only a handful. Any relationship starts with listening to someone's words and life. True listening may be the kindest and most loving gift you can give to someone.
E - INVITE THEM TO EAT WITH YOU
Jesus liked to eat! Over and over, as in Matthew 9, we find Jesus with the tax collectors and sinners…doing what? Eating! Sometimes sharing a meal together moves a relationship from acquaintance toward friendship faster than anything else we can do.
S - SERVE THEM
Jesus told us straight up, “The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve...” (Matthew 20:28 NIV). He modelled for us that once you begin with prayer, listen, and eat with someone, there is a good chance that you'll discover how you can best serve the person God is asking you to bless.
S - SHARE YOUR STORY
When people were ready to listen, Jesus would share His story. Like when Thomas asked, “How can we know the way?” Jesus answered, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me,” (John 14:5-6 NIV). When you befriend and bless people, they feel relationally safe and want to know your story. Then, and only then, you can tell them how the love of God and Jesus' life, death, and resurrection have changed you.
